Minecraft:Blocking

Blocking is a Minecraft:gameplay mechanic that allows players to block several forms of damage using a Minecraft:shield.

File:Blocking Steve (shield).png

File:Blocking Alex (shield).png

Usage

Java Edition

Minecraft:Shields are used for blocking incoming attacks. Template:Control one causes the player to slow to a Minecraft:sneaking pace, and after 5 Minecraft:ticks (0.25 seconds)<ref>Template:Bug</ref>, blockable attacks and knockback coming from the front of the player are negated. Any effects from the attacker (e.g. wither or fire) do not afflict the defender. A successful block is indicated by a sound and the shield taking damage.

Blockable attacks include melee attacks, all non-magical projectiles, damage from Minecraft:Thorns, and all explosions. Shields have no effect on other types of damage, such as fall damage, drowning or splash potions. Shields partially block the laser attack from Minecraft:guardians and Minecraft:elder guardians by negating the direct damage.

In Minecraft:25w04a, blocking was introduced as an Minecraft:item component named blocks_attacks for all items, not exclusively shields.<ref name="25w04a">Minecraft Snapshot 25w04a</ref>

Bedrock Edition

Shields are used for blocking incoming attacks. Minecraft:Crouching (sneaking, flying downward, or moving downward in water) activates the shield. Shields also automatically activate when riding mobs, and there is no way to prevent the shield from being activated when riding mobs.

Blockable attacks include melee attacks, all non magic projectiles, damage from Minecraft:Thorns, and all explosions except TNT lit by the player or from a redstone mechanism. Shields have no effect on other types of damage, such as fall damage, freezing or burning in lava. Shields partially block the laser attack from Minecraft:guardians and Minecraft:elder guardians by negating the direct damage.

Weaknesses

Axes

Using an Minecraft:axe on a Minecraft:shield that is being used will cause that shield, as well as any of the target's other shields, to be disabled for five seconds. However, disabling shields will not do any damage to the target. Note that mobs which wield axes (Vindicators and Piglin Brutes) can disable shields in the same way players can.

Sounds

Template:Edition: Template:SoundTable

Template:Edition: Template:SoundTable

History

Trivia

• Blocking allows for the slowest movements possible. This can occur when the player blocks, Minecraft:sneaks, and moves backward while under the effect of Minecraft:Slowness while going through Minecraft:cobwebs placed above still water on top of Minecraft:soul sand that is placed on top of Minecraft:ice. This causes the player to move at about 1/200 blocks a second, or 2/25 pixel a second (1 pixel every 12-13s) on a default 16×16 texture pack. Blocking while sneaking and with the additional events (but without slowness potion) allows the player go at roughly 0.023854961832 blocks per second (1 block every 41.92 seconds).Template:Only
• In older versions and ports of Minecraft, you were able to block using a sword, which would reduce damage taken. This mechanic has since been removed.
• It is impossible to block attacks on the Minecraft:New Nintendo 3DS Edition, as both Minecraft:shields and Minecraft:sword blocking are absent from the game.

Gallery

Screenshots

• A player holding a shield while blocking.
  A player holding a shield while blocking.

See also

• Minecraft:Sprinting
• Critical hit
• Minecraft:Sword blocking